Trending Now in POS: Top stories from April including customized mobile apps, tableside iPads, and more!

| May 07, 2012

April has “sprung” into action with exciting developments in POS technology and implementations. As operators continue to look for the best and most efficient ways to operate the point of sale, technology companies are perpetually trying to keep up and exceed expectations. In case you missed these headlines from April, here is a brief recap: T.G.I. Friday’s Puts POS on Mobile App, Harbortouch Adds Tableside Ordering Functionality, Chicken Express Improves Bottom Line with New POS, and more.

T.G.I. Fridays intros the first Smart App for iPhone and Android from a casual dining restaurant that allows guests to pay bill, browse the menu and uncover special promotions. The app enables a seamless transaction for both consumer and staff without the need for additional hardware.

Oxford Casino in Oxford, Maine has selected the Agilysys InfoGenesis POS system and the Agilysys Stratton Warren System inventory and procurement solution to streamline operations and enhance guest service. Designed for multi-unit operations common in hospitality environments, the system can manage any combination of dining, bar service and retail operations. Features include real-time reporting capabilities, packages and prix fixe menus, signature capture, multi-language capability and advanced sorting, filtering and grouping options.

Cloud-Based Back Office Solutions Drive Online Ordering for Bertucci's
A long-time partnership between Bertucci's and MICROS expands to include online ordering and data intensive reporting with inventory and labor management functionality. MICROS converted Bertuccis’ legacy online ordering application to MICROS webOrdering across its 94 corporate locations within a 30-day period. MICROS’ mymicros.net business intelligence solution, with the MICROS myinventory and mylabor modules, are also being implemented across all 94 locations.

Harbortouch Adds Tableside iPad Ordering Functionality Harbortouch has begun deploying its new tableside ordering feature on all Harbortouch Hospitality systems as part of its free POS system program. With Harbortouch Tableside, restaurant servers input customer orders directly into the POS software at the table via a dedicated Apple iPad app that mirrors the main POS interface. Orders are relayed directly to the kitchen or bar for a dramatic increase in efficiency for both the restaurant and its customers, as well as other key benefits, including: Increased speed of service for a better customer experience; quicker table turns; which produce additional revenue; the elimination of redundancies associated with hand writing orders; more accurate ordering; and a unique, impressive dining experience for restaurant patrons.

Tableside POS Taking Hold
While the market for tableside POS (point of sale) continues to ripen, the smartphone and tablet explosion of the past few years has helped this technology become more affordable and viable for restaurants of all sizes. As technology vendors have rolled out increasingly refined wireless applications for existing POS systems, restaurant owners are beginning to place their orders. There are several business benefits of tableside POS: fewer manual errors, increased sales, and ultimately, improved service for diners.

SmartOrder Launches App that Customizes Ordering Experience
A new smartphone app boosts revenue and customer satisfaction for restaurants, hotels and bars. SmartOrder has released a new smartphone App which allows customers to order menu items or services and have them delivered. SmartOrder can be used in restaurants, hotels and bars and requires no interference with the workflow of the respective business. The app is freely available for mobile download to iPhones, iPad, iPods and Android devices.